January 29th

Today is the 29th day of the year. It is the birth anniversary (1880) of American vaudeville and movie comedian W.C. Fields. Although he made several silent movies, he became a star with the advent of sound films. Among his best-known films are Never Give a Sucker an Even Break, The Bank Dick, and My Little Chickadee with Mae West. Fields’ onscreen character was somewhat dishonest and fond of alcohol and tended to have an absurd-sounding name like “Edgar Souse” or “The Great McGonigle.” He originally broke into show business as a juggler, and his comic physical routines, such as his pool-table and golf stunts, sometimes made their way into his movies. \

Well-known people who were born today include actor John Forsythe, actress Katherine Ross, feminist author Germaine Greer, actor Tom Selleck and TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey.